Read Proverbs 9:1-18
Perhaps the most poignant verse in today’s reading is Proverbs 9:9 “Give instruction to a wise man and he will still be wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.” Isn’t this what we teachers were called to do. God doesn’t want us to just share information; that isn’t what the reading says anyway. Being a fountain of information is important but it is only a part of teaching. Our goal as teachers should be to help impart wisdom. Proverbs instructs us in that matter. Information and knowledge alone do not help a student develop wisdom. Knowing what to do with the information, knowledge, and skills to benefit man is what constitutes wisdom.
The first several verses of this reading are spoken to the learner. God suggests to those in need of learning that they should drop the simpleness and live and walk in the way of insight. This means that it is part and partial to the learner to be engaged in the process in order to get the most out of it. The largest challenge the educator has is motivating a student to want to gain the knowledge and insight so they can turn all that into wisdom. It is incumbent upon our profession to do all we can to motivate all our students to leave simpleness behind in search of wisdom.
Pray: Lord show me the path to a better understanding of my duties in my profession. Please help me find new ways to motivate my students to engage in their education. Show me the difference between knowledge and wisdom and help me help my students see how that difference can benefit them and the world around them.
